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| The advantage of chartering a
whole barge for yourself and friends or family is that you do not have
to adhere to a detailed itinerary. Each charter week can be adjusted to suit not only the interests of those chartering the barge but also to take advantage of what may be on offer at one of the many places we can stop and visit, this can be a market day, a festival or one of the many events that the French love to hold. |
For 2008 we are cruising the beautiful Burgundy region of
France. On the tranquil river Saone we travel as far south as Lyon (the
largest city in France after Paris) and as far north as Chalon Sur
Saone, said to be the birthplace of photography. Off the river Saone we also cruise the scenic Canal de Centre which takes us into some of the famous wine growing areas of the region. |
During the week, as well as having the opportunity to explore by
foot or bicycle towns and villages close to our route, we will organise
a visit to one of the many chateaux in the area and also a day out to
the historic town of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy with a wine
tasting at one of the most extensive cellars. Below is a typical example of what a week's cruising might offer you. |
| A Typical week aboard Bonheur 2008 Day 1 Guests are met at Le Creusot TGV railway station in the afternoon and taken by car to Bonheur, which is moored on the tranquil Canal du Centre. Welcome drinks and dinner in the evening gives us the opportunity to chat about the coming weeks itinerary, while you gently unwind from your journey. Day 2 The day begins with a full mornings cruising. A chain of seven locks announces the beginning of the canals decent from the summit level (300m) to the river Saone. We work our way through the locks and continue through the villages of Ecuisses and St-Julien-sur-Dheune before arriving at St-Berain-sur-Dheune, where we moor for the evening. A visit to Chateau Couches is a short drive away. A magnificent 12th century fortress it has an impressive Keep and Drawbridge, reminders of a rich and feudal military past. After returning to the boat for an aperitif ( perhaps a refreshing Kir Royale. A regional speciality made with Crème de Cassis, a garnet-red blackcurrant liqueur from Dijon and Burgundian Champagne ‘Cremant’ ) dinner will be taken ashore at a nearby restaurant. |
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| Day 3 We depart St-Berain for a relaxing cruise to the village of Santenay, which nestles amongst the famous vineyards and preserved landscape of the Southern Cote de Beaune. After lunch we can stroll into the village. Santenay is bursting with local growers inviting you to sample the diversity and richness of their wines. A good place to start is the Chateau de Philippe le Hardi. Turned into a fortress in the 14th century AD and surrounded by moats, it now shelters a wine estate. The Chateau has a beautiful and flamboyant Burgundian tiled roof that you can see from miles around and the entrance to the estate has two magnificent Plane trees, which have stood for 400 years. Here we’ll enjoy a wine tasting before an afternoon cruise to the town of Chagny where we moor for the night. This is another evening when guests have the opportunity to sample local cuisine. Chagny has many good restaurants including the Michelin 3 Star, the famous “Lamelois”, one of the best in France. |
Day 4 Today we have a grand day out. A full day tour of Beaune, the beautiful wine capital of Burgundy. The day will include a visit to the historic Hotel Dieu, built in the 15th Century, the hospice houses a world famous candlelit wine auction every November. After the Hotel Dieu, lunch is at one of our favourite restaurants and then in the afternoon we will visit the largest wine cave (cellars) in Beaune for a tour and tasting. The original cellars began as a convent. “The Ladies of the Visitation Convent” was founded in 1632 and as you begin the tour you pass through a little listed 17th century chapel, which the nuns used every day. It is an absolute delight, and that’s even before a little sip of something special! When the tasting is over we will have the time to wander and appreciate this magnificent medieval walled town and browse in the shops if you wish. We return to Bonheur through the vineyards for a restful evening and dinner on board. |
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Day 5 After breakfast you may like to spend a little more time in Chagny. The town marks the border between the Cote de Beaune wine growing region in the north and the Cote Chalonnaise to the south. It is a full of shops that will tempt any passing gourmet…. including a fantastic Chocolatier. Later in the morning we cruise on along the canal to Rully and after lunch on board you may wish to spend some time in this village famed for its wines or take a trip a little further afield by car. Maybe to visit the beautiful Chateau Sully, one of the finest examples of a French Stately Home. Set in parkland and surrounded by a moat, it is a Renaissance Dream. With kitchen gardens to potter round and wines to be tasted from the family owned vineyards in Chassagne Montrachet, it is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. You could if you would like take a picnic hamper lunch and enjoy a little longer there. This evening finds us moored peacefully in the countryside. Dinner may be taken ashore. |
| Day 6 After a slow start to the day our morning cruise takes us to the village of Franges. We then take guests on a short car journey to Chalon-sur Saone (the birthplace of photography). After lunch at one of the towns many restaurants there will be time to explore. Chalon has a cathedral (with a lovely square), a museum and lots of shops. It also has a little Island, ‘Ile Saint-Laurent’ which has a Bohemian feel, reached by a bridge across the Saone, it’s a great place to sit and watch the world go by, with a glassful of something lovely in your hand. When you have seen enough and feel its time, we’ll return to Bonheur for a relaxing evening and farewell dinner on board. Day 7 After a leisurely breakfast guests are taken to Le Creusot TGV Railway Station in good time to catch their train. |
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